Lithostar extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: the first 1,000 patients. Toronto Lithotripsy Associates

To our knowledge this study of our first consecutive 1,000 patients treated with the Siemens Lithostar device is the largest prospective series reported to date. Treatment results were determined at 3, 12 and 24 months after completion of therapy. The results at 3 months are presented. Complete followup data were available on 801 patients: 674 with renal and 127 with ureteral calculi. Results were analyzed according to stone size, location and number. The average number of shocks per treatment was 3,804 and the retreatment rate was 18.6%. At 3 months the stone-free rate was determined by a plain film of the kidneys, ureters and bladder and plain tomograms for renal calculi, and by an excretory urogram for ureteral calculi. The stone-free rate was 52% for renal and 76% for ureteral calculi. The overall stone-free rate for all calculi was 55.7%. Success rate, defined as stone-free or asymptomatic residual fragments measuring 4 mm. or less, was 72% for renal and 83% for ureteral calculi. The overall success rate for all calculi was 73.9%.